2021 Jeep Cherokee: jerking or lurching

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Transmission · VA

The vehicle has developed a safety-related defect involving the rear differential. During low-speed turns from a stop, in both forward and reverse, the rear drivetrain exhibits grinding, binding, and wheel hop, causing the vehicle to jerk and resist normal movement. This condition affects the vehicle’s predictable handling while maneuvering in parking lots, intersections, and other confined areas. If the rear differential continues to deteriorate, it could result in catastrophic drivetrain failure and a sudden loss of vehicle propulsion, leaving the vehicle unable to move and potentially stranded in an active traffic lane or other hazardous location. This defect presents an unreasonable risk to the safety of the vehicle occupants and other road users and should be investigated as a potential safety-related defect.

Filed Dec 11, 2025 · Transmission · AZ

I took my vehicle to dealer shortly after purchase due to jerking forward during stops. A software update was performed and did not have any issues until recently. The past few weeks it began to hesitate upon acceleration and jerked forward harshly into first gear. Today there is a very noticeable prolonged hesitation during acceleration and an odd revving noice coming from TPU. This should be a major recall given the frequency and severity of the issue which could lead to a crash.

Filed Oct 18, 2025 · Transmission · CA

Incident occur on 25 August, 2025: While driving I experienced a violent jerk and sudden loss of power. The vehicle continued to drive with attenuated power, jerking motion during gear shifts, and loud clucking sounds coming from powertrain. There were no injuries or accidents as result of malfunction. The vehicle was later taken to dealership for diagnosis. The dealership determined root cause as a Power Transfer Unit (PTU) failure. PTUs for this vehicle are on backorder or not available from manufacturer. This vehicle is 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4 edition with a 3.2L V6 engine and automatic transmission.

Filed Feb 27, 2025 · Transmission · MN

I have had 2 incidents involving drivetrain failure which almost resulted in accidents. On 26 September 2024, I was in left lane passing other vehicles when suddenly my vehicle (2021 Jeep Cherokee Trail Hawk) started jerking, felt and sounded like something exploded under vehicle. I was among a group of vehicles, including semi trucks with trailers, both behind me as well as along side me. Vehicle suddenly lost forward motion, engine rpm kept increasing and decreasing, vehicle would jerk like something in drivetrain was binding up but still did not have forward power and losing speed. Dash lights started coming on and going off, then check engine light remained on. while still in passing lane, I had no power to drive forward so I immediately signaled to attempt a safe maneuver in traffic to right edge of road as there was no space on left shoulder. Several vehicles had to swerve to avoid hitting us, a very frightening and unsafe experience. Once I was on side of road, vehicle would not move in any direction, transmission made like a grinding sound if put from drive to park. Vehicle was towed to Papik Motors for repair. Dealer determined shift actuator forks were worn and replaced shift actuator. there were no loaner or rental vehicles available from dealership, I had to rent a Uhaul to get us and camper home. Vehicle returned 4 Oct 2024. On 21 January 2025 while attempting to pass a vehicle on 2 lane highway, my transmission seemed to go into neutral as I was passing causing me to almost be hit by oncoming vehicle as I had lost forward motion. After stopping, vehicle seemed to operate fine but on way home, vehicle made loud noises, transmission was grinding and would not drive. I was able to drive in 4x4 low along edge of road to the dealership. they found metal in PTU case. estimated time for repair is May or later due to parts not available. I have loaner vehicle. Contacted Stellantis twice. Case manager has not called back. I do not and will not feel safe driving

Filed Jun 26, 2024 · Transmission · MN

The vehicle started jerking and then the front wheel drive would lose power. The 4WD light came on the dash. We took it in and were told there were pieces broken off inside the PTU and the PTU needed to be completely replaced. This happened 600 miles over the manufacture warranty would have replaced it.

Filed Mar 14, 2024 · Engine · MO

Jeep stuttered and jerked on the freeway and then dropped out of gear. I managed to get to the shoulder but the engine would just rev and not go fwd while in drive or manual mode. I could not engage the parking break and when in park, the jeep would still roll forward. I turned the jeep off and on several times but it would not engage in forward gear, but the rpms would go up. I could put the jeep in reverse but no forward gear would engage

Filed Oct 17, 2023 · Transmission · VA

The vehicle ran hot, smelled of hot metal and fluids. When moving the transmission from Park to Drive nothing would happen, pressing the accelerator caused the engine to rev, then it would lurch into Drive. Same thing would happen going into reverse. Moving down the road there would be a clunking noise as you accelerated or slowed down. The car seemed like something was slowing it down , like dragging brakes. This was intermittent for some time and then got worse. The Jeep dealer replicated the problem, did the diagnostics and tried a software fix. Dealer concluded the transmission was so damaged it had to be replaced, which they did under warranty, at 36,000 miles. The transmission could have locked up or slipped into neutral while driving.

Filed Apr 10, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · MI

2/14/23 Dash Flashes “Put Car in Park”; battery symbol illuminates, gear shift ‘D’ lit up. Coasted to the shoulder, put car in park, engine was not running. I hit the “Start” button. The engine starts up, I put it into Drive, and pull onto the road. This repeats 2 more times. 2/20/23 Car serviced at Chrysler dealership - Service report said Updated PCM 181906EL Module. ECU from old part number 68493558AD to current part number 68493558AG. 3/7/23 - Vehicle lost power. Coasted to nearest driveway to turn off the main road. No power steering, Car was successful moved out of traffic, put in park, and then the engine was restarted. 3/9/23Mileage in 22536; Replaced Module - Engine controller, crankshaft position sensor, wit all wheel drive, powertrain/engine control. 3/23/23 Vehicle returned mileage 22562. 4/4/23, Driving freeway, vehicle started decelerate on its own, maneuvered to the shoulder and put it into park. There were no lights or indicators on the dash to say there was a problem. Car did not stall. Returned to the roadway and maintained speed. Approx 22980 miles on the vehicle, cruise control was on 77. The vehicle started slowed to 68 mph, maneuvered to the shoulder; did not lose power; Put car in park. Traffic cleared to re-enter the roadway. Next 30 minutes, problem repeated. Did not have anyone behind me so I wanted to see at what point would I lose power, or warning lights come on. Cruise set at 77, the car reduced speed on its own to 64 mph. The car acted like it was changing gears a few times, lurching, then picked up speed to 80 mph, then slowed back to the setting of 77. This happened 3 more times. 4/6/23, 23381 miles on the vehicle, driving 45 mph, w/out cruise control. Vehicle began to decelerate, I tried to accelerate to keep up with traffic. The vehicle continued to decelerate down to 36 mph when it kicked back into gear and picked back up to 45 mph. 4/10/23 back to dealer @ 23,608

Filed Nov 19, 2021 · Suspension · MA · crash

I was driving and felt the wheel jerk and heard a crack noise under the front end of my car immediately after my vehichle was pulled abruptly to left causing me to hit a curb. WHen I got out and inspected the vehichle it looked as if the tire had been tilted inwards towards the car. I had the car towed to my local mechanic they told me that this is part of a recall and I needed to go through the dealership. The dealer is saying my car is not covered under that specific recall which is the exact problem that I had.